Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 9, 2025
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Cor. 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Eternal God, divine parent, whom Jesus so frequently called Father, we thank you for the qualities of that metaphor which have brought such meaning to our lives.
We thank you that we have known you as one who knows our needs before we ask.
We thank you that you have been for us the waiting Father who has waited like a divine parent and longed for our return from the far countries of our souls. We thank you that you have rejoiced at our return and welcomed us back to the family of God as you did the Prodigal Son. We thank you that you are still our redeeming Father and the Mother who broods over her young, and rejoice more over one repentant sinner than those already in the fold.
We ask that you would enrich all those who have the role of Father in their families. Make us all loving, understanding, accepting, and gracious among our families.
For those who have known brokenness and whose father parental model was dysfunctional bring healing and wholeness. May we never use the fact that our families were not perfect as an excuse from making a fresh start and doing better for our own families. May we seize today and resolve to make a fresh start and develop new and healthier behaviours. Give us the strength to transcend the sins of our parents that they not be repeated to the fourth and fifth generations.
Bless all the families of the earth with harmony, peace, and well being and keep them from want and suffering. Help them all to love the wayward, to rejoice when one who has stumbled changes, to transcend envy and jealousy, and to promote openness and love. Amen
March 9, 2025
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Cor. 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Eternal God, divine parent, whom Jesus so frequently called Father, we thank you for the qualities of that metaphor which have brought such meaning to our lives.
We thank you that we have known you as one who knows our needs before we ask.
We thank you that you have been for us the waiting Father who has waited like a divine parent and longed for our return from the far countries of our souls. We thank you that you have rejoiced at our return and welcomed us back to the family of God as you did the Prodigal Son. We thank you that you are still our redeeming Father and the Mother who broods over her young, and rejoice more over one repentant sinner than those already in the fold.
We ask that you would enrich all those who have the role of Father in their families. Make us all loving, understanding, accepting, and gracious among our families.
For those who have known brokenness and whose father parental model was dysfunctional bring healing and wholeness. May we never use the fact that our families were not perfect as an excuse from making a fresh start and doing better for our own families. May we seize today and resolve to make a fresh start and develop new and healthier behaviours. Give us the strength to transcend the sins of our parents that they not be repeated to the fourth and fifth generations.
Bless all the families of the earth with harmony, peace, and well being and keep them from want and suffering. Help them all to love the wayward, to rejoice when one who has stumbled changes, to transcend envy and jealousy, and to promote openness and love. Amen